An exciting and challenging short break to complete the ascent of Gran Paradiso, the only 4000m peak entirely in Italy. Discover the stunning Gran Paradiso National Park, sleep in mountain refuges and complete the ascent all in a long weekend.

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Day 2

Your guide will give a briefing of the weekend, after which we will check all the equipment necessary and take a transfer to Valsavarenche in Italy. From Pravieux, a good walking path will lead us to the Chabod refuge (2750m) for the night. There will be time for some ice-axe and crampons practice.

Approx. 4hrs walking , Ascent/descent: +916m

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 3

Early morning start for the Gran Paradiso ascent (4061m). We follow the traditional route up and back; this is one of the most beautiful balcony walks in the Alps with views of Monte Viso, Monte Rosa, the Mont Blanc, and many other summits. Crossing snow fields, we slowly make our way to the final exposed ridge to reach the summit. From here we can enjoy the most incredible views.

Essential Info

Visas

Italy

No visa required for British passport holders.
Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.

France

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

Italy

There are no specific health risks.

France

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches and 4 dinners.

Typical meals: Breakfast: coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bread, jam, and cereals. Lunch: sandwiches of cold meats, cheese, or sometimes tinned fish. Cakes, chocolate and energy bars. Evening meal: first course of soup or salad or charcuterie, a main course with one or two vegetables, rice or pasta, and a dessert. Beer, wine, coffee or tea, bottled water and other drinks are not included. Vegetarians: In France and Italy, hotels and restaurants are not very well geared up to provide separate vegetarian menus, especially smaller establishments in the mountains. Vegetarians will usually find that there is little difficulty as long as they are prepared to be reasonably flexible. Please note mountain hut meals will be more basic that the chalet meals listed above.

Weather

The main climbing season is from June to September. Our trips run during this time, when finding a window of suitable weather is most likely. High summits in the Alps always attract variable weather conditions and although we have built a degree of flexibility into this itinerary there may be disruptions. The possibility of the climb being abandoned or the route changed in case of unsuitable conditions must be accepted. In the overall interests of safety the guides' decision will be final. Expect warm temperatures (15 to 25ºC) in the valleys, cool (5 to 15ºC) on the passes (though it will feel colder if wet and windy) and very cold (-10/-15ºC) on the summit. Strong winds are very likely on the summit; in this case it can feel even colder. It can and does rain and especially on the high passes it can be surprisingly cold at times.

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level 7 - ToughMuch of the weekend is spent on glaciers and there is plenty of time for training in snow and ice climbing (ice-axe and crampon skills, ropework etc). We spend much of the time at around 3,000m which is essential for helping acclimatisation. The climax of the week is the summit attempt.

In good weather the ascent is not particularly technical but it is extremely arduous. To have a reasonable chance of success a high degree of fitness and stamina and some previous experience of altitude is highly recommended. Please note that you cannot achieve the required level of fitness during the week - you must arrive fit. Previous experience with ice-axe and crampons is a plus, however it is not essential as long as you are physically fit for the challenge.

Please note that although the itinerary presented here is the one we intend to follow there is a high chance that variations may be necessary. Many factors can affect climbing in high mountains. Individual member's abilities vary, as does their ability to assimilate the skills needed. Adverse weather during the week may curtail training or even make the climb impossible, while previous weather conditions may have left the mountain in a difficult or dangerous condition. Any such factor may mean we have to re-arrange or curtail the programme.

Reviews

A Good Challenge for Those Needing a Quick Mountain Fix

This is quite a tough trip for the reason that you get straight in to it, after a walk up to the mountain refuge on day 1 you are up early to attempt the summit, so definitely worth making sure you have done some training beforehand.
Overall Its a good experience with lots of glacier traversing and some rock climbing to reach the top so not a straight-forward trek.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The views from Gran Paradiso are beautiful, looking out across to Mont Blanc at sunrise!

What did you think of your group leader?

Bernard was amazing, his experience in the mountains is vast so you have no doubt in his abilities, and he was great at keeping us motivated all the way to the top.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Pack light as you will be carrying everything up to the top and be prepared for a crowded summit, which can be unnerving as the summit is very small.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We had bad weather on day one so could not go to the top, however on day two we got to have another attempt and made it, so this is not a one chance trip there are options if circumstances go against you.

Gran Paradiso, Italy Alps

What a great adventure over a long weekend, travelling through three countries to finally stop in Italy, its a long hard slog of a climb, patience and experience helps, ropes, crampons and use of ice picks experience helps again dont come untrained, the last 500 meters of the summit is great fun, dont look down if you dont have a head for heights, recommend this trip for fit people only or you will struggle! Loved the guide and the friendly mountain hut staff, thanks Exodus

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Summit on the 2nd attempted as the the weather was unkind on our 1st attempt

What did you think of your group leader?

our group leader was very experienced and had a good sense of humor!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros

Cons

May be the most direct route

Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.

As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.

You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros

Cons

Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.

Through fare tickets can be expensive.

On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.

Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros

Cons

You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.

You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.

On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.

Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate If you book arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or a package holiday, the financial protection referred to above does not apply. Our ATOL number is 2582 and our ABTA number is Y0751.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk